Stringed instrument of the viol type



June 1, 1965 G. H. FINCH 3,186,288

STRINGED INSTRUMENT OF THE VIOL TYPE Filed March 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l H o O O O 6 I I I If I H 12 I 36 I I I H 1 w l I4 F1g' Z 13d I3b a 30 K )3 3b T w 6 7 2 7G 2 7 INVENTOR. Gerald H. Finch BY 1 51-1 )//7 W LATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 G. H. FINCH STRINGED INSTRUMENT OF THE VIOL TYPE Filed March 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hii ii fil' INVENTOR. 0 Gerald H. Finch ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,186,288 STRINGED INSTRUMENT OF THE VIOL TYPE Gerald H. Finch, Denver, 63 10., assignor to Thot Research, Inc., Englewood, (1010., a corporation of Colorado Filed Mar. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 348,552 7 Claims. (Cl. 84-275) This invention relates generally to improvements in stringed instruments of the viol type and more specifically to improvements in bass violins.

The art of producing a quality stringed instrument of the viol type has previously been accomplished by skilled craftsmen thoroughly experienced in cutting, shaping, positioning and gluing the various parts of the instrument. Use of several kinds of wood and glued joints in the hollow resonance box has resulted in instruments of varying tonal quality and instruments which are subject to breakage when dropped or misused. Usually when the resonance box has been broken at a glued joint, it is difficult to retain the same tonal qualities by merely regluing the joint.

Prior art bass violins made of wood require substantial reinforcement between the rib, back and belly portions of the resonance box for satisfactory rechanical strength. The cost of a bass violin which is handmade and has satisfactory tonal qualities prevents many from purchasing these instruments, particularly for school and training purposes.

- The object of. this invention, therefore, is to provide a bass violin in which the hollow resonance box is molded to produce a single integral body of substantially uniform molecular structure having no glued joints and no spacing of components at joined areas.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bass violin of improved construction more durable than wooden violins.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bass violin having a quality tone with more uniformity between a plurality of such instruments and which can be produced at a cost substantially less than comparable wooden instruments.

Another object of this invention is the elimination of several supporting parts previously necessary in the resonance box.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of making bass violins or the like.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description which is accompanied by the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bass violin according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of the scroll shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fitting of the neck to the resonance box; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is shown a bass violin generally indicated by numeral 1. Bass violin 1 has a hollow resonance box 2 comprising a belly portion 3, a rib portion 4 and a back portion 5 made of a molded material fused into a non-jointed integral box of substantially uniform molecular interconnection throughout in a manner described more fully hereinafter. A bead 2a extends along the outer edge of belly portion 3 and a bead 2b extends along the outer edge of back portionS. Belly portion 3 is of greater thickness than back portion 5 and rib portion 4 is of lesser thickness than back por tion 5, each of the portions being of uniform thickness throughout (FIG. 2).

Sound holes 3a and 3b are formed in belly portion 3 and a bass bar 30 is positioned on the interior surface of belly portion 3 and extends laterally thereto. A sound post (not shown) is positioned in the box in the conventional position. Reinforcing on the interior of the sound box at the point of contact with the sound post can be included if desired. An end pin block (not shown) is positioned in the side at the lower end of sound box 2 and receives an adjustable end pin 7. A neck block 8 is similarly positioned at the other end of sound box 2. Both blocks are of conventional shape and end pin 7 is conventional.

Neck 10 fits into the neck block 8 as is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is attached thereto in a suitable manner. Neck 10 is of laminated construction comprising an exterior molded portion 1% and an interior support portion 10!). A fingerboard 14 preferably of a laminated construction similar to neck 10 is attached to neck 10 and extends across the resonance box 2 in a conventional manner. A substantial distance d exists between the belly portion 3 and fingerboard 14 along the neck 10 which is possible because of the laminated structure of neck 19 and is of particular significance in the construction of the instrument, as will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

Scroll 11 fits over the opposite end of neck 19 and is bonded thereto. The scroll 11 could be of single-piece construction with neck 10 but the two-piece construction with suitable attachment therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 3 is preferred. Intermediate of the scroll 11 is a peg box portion generally designated by numeral 12 and containing the usual components for securing and adjusting the tension in the strings which is accomplished in a conventional manner.

Tail piece 9 is secured at end pin 7 and extends over the lower end of belly portion 3 on the outer surface thereof and is made of a laminated construction with its outer surface of a molded material surrounding a support portion similar to neck 10 described above and illustrated in FIG. 3.

Strings 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d extend from peg box portion 12 over bridge 6 to openings in tail piece 7. These strings can be made of steel, nylon, wrapped gut or aluminum, but steel is preferred.

The size and shape of the instrument according to my invention is essentially the same as conventional instruments with several important modifications. The belly portion 3 is raised or arched and has the same curvature as the back portion 5 but there is a greater are in the bridge area 3x of belly portion 3 than occurs in standard instruments which increases the overall mechanical strength of the instrument. This increased arc is not possible in standard wooden instruments because wood will not permit so great an are between ribs. I have found that the particular relationship of thickness in the sound box shown in FIG. 2 is necessary to give the proper tional effect. By using a ratio of 3:211 of material allocated between belly portion 3, back portion 5 and rib portion 4, respectively, the best tonal qualities can be produced.

The use of a laminated structure using an exterior molded material of durable quality in the neck 10 is of particular significance and provides a substantial improvement over previously used wooden instruments. The molded exterior llla adds significantly to the mechanical strength of the neck to allow positioning of the neck above the belly portion 3 a substantial distance d as shown in FIG. 5, thus allowing suitable adjustment in the angle of the strings to provide the best tonal quality. This distance d was limited in wooden neck pieces which tended to break along the grain due to the increased tension involved.

amazes The bea 3 2a and 2b add to the mechanical strength of the instrument giving additional thickness at the mating edge of the rib portion 4 and the belly portion 3. The curved nature of rib portion 4 increases its mechanical strength allowing a relatively thin wall, thus saving on material. The angle of the bass bar c can be changed up to 2 degrees to vary the tonal effect and the back and belly portions may be placed closer together to conserve on material when desired.

Resonance box 2 is formed from separately molded pieces of the same material. I found that a glass fiber .iaterial filled with an air cured resin can be satisfactorily molded and joined to produce a resonance box of monocoque structure which is extremely durable and when constructed according to this invention has a line tonal quality. Each molded piece is formed by coating the mold with resin, laying up the glass fiber material and then coating the outer surface of the rat with resin, thus substantially filling the mat. A bend of 50% air cured polyester resin and 50% glass fiber will be found satisfactory.

In making an instrument according to this invention, two symmetrical rib pieces are first molded and air cured to a limited degree. The belly piece is then laid up in the mold but before it has set up, the partially cured side pieces are positioned on the bead leaving material on both sides of the bead. Almost simultaneously, the end block, bass bar and neck piece which have been treated with resin and glass fiber material are positioned on the belly piece. The back piece is then laid up in the nold and while it is still substantially wet, it is positioned in place. The resonance box is air cured and the mating surfaces fuse into a non-jointed monocoque structure. The seams are then filled with resin to make the exterior of the box smooth.

To maintain the 3:211 ratio of material between the belly, back and side portions, I have found that using a six ounce glass fiber mat for the belly portion 3, a four ounce glass fiber mat for the back portion 5 and a two ounce glass fibers mat for the rib portion 4, each being filled with resin, produces an instrument having a fine tonal quality.

After the resonance box is cured, the neck, fingerboard and tail piece are positioned on the box and attached thereto. he molding of the exterior portion of each is accomplished in a manner similar to the belly, back and rib portions described above. However, before the mold material has dried, the supporting structure is placed in the mold thereby being bonded to the molded materal. I have found that wood, particularly maple, is well suited for this supporting structure in the neck and tail piece. The scroll is preferably made of wood and attached to the end of the neck as shown in FIG. 3.

The resulting instrument after curing includes a resonance box having a single shell which is a monocoque structure havim interconnecting surfaces of essentially uniform molecular structure throughout. The final resonance box therefore has no joints as such and previously required supporting blocks are eliminated. No stressshaping is required in pieces of the resonance box as is required in wooden resonance boxes.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a bass violin can be produced which will have an extremely durable resonance box and will reduce substantially the time and worlonanship previously required to produce a quality instrument, thus substantially reducing the cost per instrument. It has been found that the instruments made according to the practices of this invention have a uniformly good quality tone.

While I have particularly shown and described particular embodiments of this invention, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention, and such variations are covered by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stringed instrument of the viol type having a hollow non-jointed resonance box of essentially conventional shape formed as an integral structure and having an intermediate bridge area, said resonance box comprising a molded back portion of conventional shape, a molded belly portion of essentially conventional shape and of greater thickness than the back portion and having a curvature the same as the back portion with a larger arc in the intermediate bridge area than corresponding wooden instruments, and a molded rib portion of conventional shape of lesser thickness than the back portion, said rib portion merging with the belly and back portions throughout the area of contact to produce interconnecting surfaces of essentially uniform molecular structure throughout.

2. In a stringed instrument of the viol type having a hollow resonance box with a bridge area, said resonance box comprising a molded back portion of conventional shape, a molded belly portion of essentially conventional shape and of greater thickness than the back portion and having a curvature the same as the back portion with a larger arc in the intermediate bridge area than corresponding wooden instruments, and a molded rib portion or" conventional shape of lesser thickness than the back portion, said rib portion being fused with the belly and back portion throughout the entire area of contact to produce an integral resonant box of monocoque structure.

3. In a stringed instrument of the bass violin type having a hollow resonance box with an intermediate bridge area, said resonance box comprising a molded back portion of conventional shape, a molded belly portion of essentially conventional shape and of greater thickness than the back portion and having a curvature and thickness essentially the same as the back portion with a larger arc in the intermediate bridge area than corresponding Wooden instruments, and a molded rib portion of conventional shape of lesser thickness than the back portion, said portions being molded of material including glass fiber and polyester resin, said rib portions being fused with the belly and back portions throughout the entire area of contact to produce a resonant body of monocoque structure.

4-. In a stringed instrument of the bass violin type having a hollow resonance box of essentially conventional shape with an intermediate bridge area, said resonance box having a molded back portion of conventional shape, a molded belly portion of essentially conventional shape and of greater thickness than the back portion and having a curvature and thickness essentially the same as the back portion with a larger arc in the bridge area than corresponding wooden instruments, a molded rib portion of conventional shape of lesser thickness than the back portion, said rib portion being fused with the back and belly portions throughout the area of contact to produce a monocoque structure, and molded tail and neck portions each having a support structure bonded thereto and being attached to the resonance box in conventional position, said molded portions being molded of material including glass fiber and polyester resin.

5. In a stringed instrument of the bass violin type having a hollow resonance box of essentially conventional shape with an intermediate bridge area, said resonance box having a molded back portion of conventional shape, a molded belly portion of essentially conventional shape and of greater thickness than the back portion and having a curvature and thickness essentially the same as the back portion with a larger arc in the bridge area than corresponding wooden instruments, a molded rib portion of conventional shape of lesser thickness than the back portion, said rib portion being fused with the back and belly portions throughout the area of contact to produce a monocoque structure, and a molded neck portion including support structure, the neck extending substantially further beyond the belly portion than in conventional O wooden instruments, said molded portions being molded of material including glass fiber and polyester resin.

6. In a stringed instrument of the bass violin type as described in claim 3 wherein the ratio of molded material in the belly portion and back portion and rib portion is 3 :2: 1 respectively.

7. In a stringed instrument of the bass violin type having a hollow, non-joined resonance box of essentially conventional shape formed as an integral structure and having an intermediate bridge area, said resonance box comprising a molded back portion of conventional shape, a molded belly portion of essentially conventional shape having a curvature the same as the back portion with a larger arc in the intermediate bridge area than cor-responding wooden instruments and a molded bridge portion of conventional shape, each of said molded portions being of substantially uniform thickness throughout its extent, said molded portions being molded of a material including a glass fiber mat filled with a polyester resin with a ratio of molded material in the belly portion, back portion and rib portion respectively of about 3:2:1, said rib portion merging with the belly and back portions throughout the area of contact to produce interconnecting surfaces of essentially uniform molecular struc ture throughout, and said back and belly portions having ahead portion adjoining the surfaces merging with the rib portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,415 4 6/23 Altmeier 84-275 1,475,423 11/23 Brann 84275 2,414,238 1/47 Osburn 842'75 2,457,629 12/48 Beckman 84-275 2,588,101 3/52 Finder 84-291 2,597,154 5/52 Maccaferri S4-291 X 3,136,196 6/64 Charlesworth 84275 FOREIGN PATENTS 591,268 8/47 GreatBritain.

OTHER REFERENCES Acrylic Resins Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering; vol. 44, No. 9; pages 468 471, September 1937.

LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A STRINGED INSTRUMENT OF THE VIOL TYPE HAVING A HOLLOW NON-JOINTED RESONANCE BOX OF ESSENTIALLY CONVENTIONAL SHAPE FORMED AS AN INTEGRAL STRUCTURE AND HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE AREA, SAID RESONANCE BOX COMPRISING A MOLDED BACK PORTION OF CONVENTIONAL SHAPE, A MOLDED BELLY PORTION OF ESSENTIALLY CONVENTIONAL SHAPE AND OF GREATER THICKNESS THAN THE BACK PORTION AND HAVING A CURVATURE THE SAME AS THE BACK PORTION WITH A LARGER ARC IN THE INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE AREA THAN CORRESPONDING WOODEN INSTRUMENTS, AND A MOLDED RIB PORTION OF CONVENTIONAL SHAPE OF LESSER THICKNESS THAN THE BACK PORTION, SAID RIB PORTION MERGING WITH THE BELLY AND BACK PORTIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA OF CONTACT TO PRODUCE INTERCONNECTING SURFACES OF ESSENTIALLY UNIFORM MOLECULAR STRUCTURE THROUGHOUT. 